BLINKERS CAN WORK THE ORACLE FOR ELMONJED AT WINDSOR

By Nick Robson

First-time blinkers can unlock the undoubted potential in Elmonjed, who looks the least exposed runner in the Fitzdares Sprint Series Final Handicap at Windsor.

Not surprisingly for a £75,000 prize pot, a very competitive field has assembled, many of whom have strong course form to their name.

Elmonjed is a bit of a rarity among them in that he has yet to register a victory at the Thameside track, although he did run respectably last time out when third behind Palmar Bay and Amazonian Dream, two rivals he meets again.

Ridden from off the pace that time, he failed to get seriously involved and went down by a length and a half, but the winner has 4lb more to carry and the runner-up 2lb, so he meets them on better terms.

His form when third at York to James’s Delight in the most valuable three-year-old sprint handicap of the season reads well given the winner went to France and won a Listed contest and after winning the first two races of his career, William Haggas probably held high hopes for Elmonjed.

Reaching for the headgear suggests he possibly thinks he might not be putting it all in and he is given another chance.

Jack Channon’s Staincliff can defy a penalty in the Fitzdares Congratulates Keith Scott & London 52 Novice Stakes.

Holding an entry in an Irish Group Three at the end of the month, she was second in a useful Sandown maiden on her debut last year to Cover Point and went one better at Newcastle next time out.

Half a length behind her at Gosforth Park was the Haggas-trained Lou Lou’s Gift, now rated 94, as is the fourth, Archie Watson’s Havana Ball.

Staincliff has obviously had an issue to be off so long but rates the class act in this field.

Karl Burke has had another incredible season with his team of juveniles and Shining Pearl can add her name to the list of winners.

She is having her third career outing in the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Ayr.

A satisfactory debut when fifth of 13 at Thirsk was followed by a good effort to be second at Newmarket behind a 300,000 guineas purchase of Ed Walker’s.

She still looked a bit green when push came to shove and should have learned plenty from that experience.

Now is a good time of year for the three-year-olds to take on their elders and Iain Jardine should be rewarded with Dingwall doing just that in the Ayrshire Cancer Support Handicap.

He is up 6lb for winning here last month but looks the type to carry on progressing.

At Kempton, Fior Di Bosco starts life in open company from a mark of 69 in the Unibet Support Safe Gambling Handicap.

The Too Darn Hot filly was third at Newbury on her debut, albeit well beaten, before filling the same spot at Newbury.

On her most recent outing back at Newbury, she was fifth of 10 and handicapping might show what she is really capable of.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 3 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 15.10 Matharu, Race 2: 15.45 Fior Di Bosco, Race 3: 16.20 Felina, Race 4:
16.55 Bear Island, Race 5: 17.30 Amiloc, Race 6: 18.00 Caprelo, Race 7: 18.35 Umbria.

AYR: Race 1: 15.25 Shining Pearl, Race 2: 16.00 Chinese Spirit, Race 3: 16.35 Aspire To Glory,
Race 4: 17.10 Monhammer, Race 5: 17.40 Pol Roger, Race 6: 18.15 Sixcor, Race 7: 18.45 The
Gay Blade, Race 8: 19.15 Dingwall.

WINDSOR: Race 1: 18.40 Ruby Rascal, Race 2: 19.10 Blewburton, Race 3: 19.40 Staincliff,
Race 4: 20.10 ELMONJED (NAP), Race 5: 20.40 Make A Scene, Race 6: 21.10 Oh So
Audacious.

DOUBLE: Staincliff and Elmonjed (Windsor, Races 3 and 4).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com